Plans for a gala fundraiser benefitting the Denis Theatre Foundation were snowed under Feb. 6, so organizers moved the $250-a-ticket party on Mount Washington to the following week, where it was blizzarded out, again.

"Raise the Curtain" finally came off last Friday but even then, about six inches of snow threatened yet another postponement.

"The snow gods did not want this gala to happen," said Anne Kemerer, foundation executive director.

But the $4.5 million renovation project does have the blessing of some higher-ups, including the building's owner, Mt. Lebanon commission president Raja.

Raja purchased the 17,000-square-foot classic movie house on Washington Road in 2007 for $668,750. He and foundation members agreed to partner on a renovation of the building, which got its start as a 1,200-seat, single-screen theater in 1937. It shut its doors in 2004.

The intent was for the foundation to buy the building outright at the original purchase price, with a deadline of last Sunday. Adding in closing costs, operating costs and other expenses, the foundation hopes to achieve $750,000 in this initial phase of fundraising.

"We knew we were not going to make the terms of the Feb. 28 agreement," Ms. Kemerer said, noting that the economy's downswing over the past 18 months erased conventional fundraising predictions.

So in mid-February, she said, Raja volunteered to extend the purchase deadline to June 30.

Eventually, the foundation (www.denistheatre.com) hopes to create a three-screen theater with public meeting space.

The foundation, which has raised about $300,000 so far, potentially has close to that amount in the pipeline through grant applications. Over the past year, fundraising has included in-home "cultivation" events and tours of the facility to spark interest and financial support among individuals in a position to make significant donations.

"We were addressing major donors and trying to raise a large amount of money from a small amount of people," said Ms. Kemerer, who said the focus now will turn to raising small amounts from a large group.

Grassroots fundraising events are in the planning stage, she added.

"I've been astounded by the depth and breadth of support in the South Hills and astounded by the nostalgia people have for the Denis ... so many people who grew up here had a theater on their street, and they know how great it is."

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